The Hardest Book I Think I’ve Ever Read

Liberating Lomie: Memoir of an Amish Childhood

I recently purchased a book at a local store that was harder to read than I expected. Saloma Miller Furlong has written her third book, Liberating Lomie: Memoir of an Amish Childhood.

Saloma writes very well, but sometimes I didn’t want to go on.

Her other books include Why I Left the Amish—a Memoir, and Bonnet Strings—an Amish Woman’s Ties to Two Worlds (published by Herald Press, where I worked for awhile). Her story had been featured in two PBS American Experience films, “The Amish” and “The Amish: Shunned.” I have also talked to her at a conference and perhaps another meeting here or there.

I will let the details to those who decide to get or read the book, but for sure the amount of beatings and whippings and bloody punishments mentioned throughout the book were difficult to read through. Saloma herself was no quiet kid who allowed such things to just happen. She fought back and succumbed with resignation to the treatments from her mother, her father who certainly was mentally ill, her brothers and even her sisters. I would not have wanted to ever live the life she experienced as a child. Just one example: when Saloma did not behave the way her mother wanted her to respond, at one point the mother put chicken poop in a rag and pushed it into Saloma’s mouth. The taste stayed with her for days.

When she was just 11 years old, an older brother began to ask her questions about having babies, and later she, under pressure, simply responded to her brother “What do you want me to do.”

I was left cold and sick. You can read more in the book.

But I was also left so very thankful that nothing like that ever happened to me, and so grateful for a loving father and mother and siblings who—while we argued and teased and occasionally threw tantrums (maybe?) and cry, and felt unloved at times, it was nothing compared to what Saloma went through for over 20 years, and then some. I don’t remember ever getting a spanking. Our family had its difficult times and yes, did wrong things—but nothing, NOTHING like Saloma’s horrible existence as a child and youthful girl.

I won’t go into more details here but if you want what I feel is a genuine inside look at what some families go through—Amish or not—check out Saloma’s book.

Saloma does not leave out the good times, closeness to her mother sometimes, and hopes she had as a child, but if you know anyone who is being mistreated by family, friends, or enemies, please help them reach out for help.

As the author says in the opening pages of the book “If you have experienced or are experiencing abuse, know that you are not alone. May you find courage to reach out for help from someone who cares. Makes sure abuse does not get transmitted to the next generation.”

If you are interested in more information related to her life today, check out her blog here: Biography – Saloma Miller Furlong